Chapter 7- Apart

Arya was concerned at the seriousness of Eragon's assertion for them to talk about what they needed to talk about while they were flying. She got on top of Jadeir as Eragon got on top of Saphira, and the two of them flew into the night sky. It was a windy night so Eragon and Arya had placed spells to shield themselves from the wind. They saw clouds to the west, but above them the sky was rather clear. The scales of Saphira and Jadeir shined in the darkness as they flew into the sky. She felt the beats of Jadeir's wings as she closed her eyes during the flight. She linked her mind with Eragon's to speak with him whilst feeling the weightlessness of flying.

She was wondering what was so important that the riders would interrupt Eragon during his own sons celebration. This was not only the son of the lead rider, but the son of the leader of the elves. Whatever had developed must have been important.

At the same time, Arya had confronted Ilian and Linnea about what she and Eragon had thought was a half lie during the interrogation. Unfortunately, her son was flawless in his words much like the dragons and she was unable to make heads or tails. She truly hoped that they did not tell a half lie even though she knew that they probably had.

She opened her eyes and smiled as she realized Eragon and Saphira had done a loop around her and Jadeir. Saphira had blown some flames into the air which Eragon had manipulated into a heart, which Jadeir flew into. As Jadeir turned around, Arya chuckled for a moment as Eragon had manipulated the fire again to say, "Whats wrong?"

Arya then thought through her connection to Eragon, I could not make heads or tails out of when I asked Ilian if he and Linnea told a half lie during the ceremony. However, the more I looked at them, the more it seems like they did. She thought the last thought with a hint of anger. She did not want to be the leader of the elves for another twenty years. Her heart was beginning to pound harder.

As he sensed her anger, Arya was suddenly flooded by a bundle of her happiest images of herself, Eragon, and Ilian. The final image was after she had given birth to him and how she was sleeping with Ilian in her arms in the arms of Eragon. She smiled for a moment. Thank you Eragon. Jadeir then let slip some green fire which Eragon manipulated into a ring which Arya and Jadeir flew into using a loop. It had taken fifty years, but Arya had grown acccustomed to and liked the weightless sensation now.

She her eyebrows then pointed downwards as she realized she still felt troubled about something. It took her a moment to realize that the source of the feeling was not coming from herself, but inadvertantly from her mental link with Eragon. She then remembered she still had not asked Eragon what was with the interruption.

Eragon, what happened with Parthener? She did not get an answer for quite a time as they continued to fly. She shook her head for a moment as her long raven hair had gone on her honey skinned face. She waited patiently to hear what Eragon had to say. Finally she heard his troubled thoughts once more.

Alalaeans are coming Arya. He then poured into her all of the information which Eragon had received from Parthener. As she digested the information, she felt several feelings build up in her. The primary two were excitement and concern. She was excited at the idea that she could finally meet more of her own people, but she was also worried at what their presence in Alagaesia meant. She knew that something else was troubling Eragon.

Eragon, your leaving something out. She sensed him sighing. He then went out with it. She felt a lurch for a moment as Jadeir descended a bit.

Arya, one of us needs to stay in Ellesmera in case we need to mobilize the elves for war. However, one of us also needs to go with the other riders to confront this possible threat, be it fake or real. Fear and sadness then surged through Arya. She had never been parted from Eragon for longer than half a day since the two of them had become mates. He had been a stabilizing force in her life. He was the aqueduct for her emotions and she did not know what would happen if that aqueduct was dammed for a few days. She then started to stutter and think thoughts that were not like her normal self.

Eragon, no. There has to be some other way. She could feel her breathing quickening again out of worry and fright. Could she function without Eragon near her?

I wish there was Arya. I don't want to be parted from you after spending every day with you for fifty years.
Then, something in Arya snapped.

No! There has to be some alternative! I am telling you there has to be another way Eragon! I can't have you leaving me! You promised me you would not leave me when I rescued you from Galbatorix! She was not sure what she would do if the only person who could open her like a scroll needed to go somewhere else. Would she shrivel up once more like a raisin in the sun? Would she hide among the trees? Or would she find the strength to function normally. She felt hot tears beginning to build. Her strength came from Eragon. She was nothing without him.

Arya, your stronger than this, I know you are. Eragon pleaded in his mind.

Am I Eragon? Everything I have done and achieved has been assisted by you. She was still breathing fast.

As is true with me Arya. Eragon tried to reply calmly.

You slew Durza-
She began but was cut off.

But you distracted him for me. You ferried the egg.
Eragon tried to refute her.

And I would have failed if you had not found Saphira. You defeated Murtagh.
She answered back in a panicky thought.

And I would not have without your assistance. You slew Varaug.
Eragon interjected. Arya again tried to disprove his argument.

And you were selflessly invading his mind to help me do it. You defeated Galbatorix Eragon!

And I would not have if you had not destroyed Shruikan's eldurnari! Arya I need you as much as you need me! It pains me that the two of us need to be separated for a time. Do you think I want to be away from you? I don't! But it has to be done! You know this Arya! It is just like what I told you the night before Galbatorix captured me Arya. If one of us does not go, and this threat turns out to be legitimate, we are going to suffer the consequences. Eragon's calming voice was firmer now, attempting to soothe the quickly becoming unstable Arya. Arya let the last statement of Eragon float around in her mind as she felt herself starting to panic. She began to flee within herself. Suddenly she felt as if she was one with Jadeir from fleeing so far in. She felt her dragon touch her mind.

Little one. You know he is right. Arya was trying to maintain her composure.

I know Jadeir. But I can't bear to be separated from Eragon. I have been near him ever since we fell in love. We have never spent a day apart from each other since our first kiss Jadeir. She could not let him leave her sight. She started to understand now why her mother had not wanted her to take the yawe. She realized that this must have been the feeling her mother was having when she became the elven ambassador, as it meant that she would be leaving her mother's sight.

It is not like he will permanently be gone Arya. He will be back.

How do you know? We do not even know if the elves coming are coming in war or peace! What if they attack?! She was not thinking clearly anymore. All her heart and mind was thinking about was trying to find a way to either go with Eragon or to make him stay.

Arya, your heart is clouding your mind. Think. Has the first Eragon ever been known to be a warmonger?

No.

Then what could have changed? He brought peace to the dragon war and left for Alalaea to bring peace there. Could there be some threat that we don't know about? Perhaps, but Eragon can protect himself even without his sword. And he will be protected by the other riders, and Linnea and Ilian. He will be ok Arya. Of that I am sure. I have Saphira's word nothing will happen to him. Arya's breathing slowly began to return to normal as Jadeir's deep, calming voice spoke to her. She then felt Eragon within her mind again.

Arya please. We must do this. Arya sighed in resignation. She had overreacted. Eragon was coming back after all afterwards, and even without a blade he was most likely going to be safe.

Will you take Brisingr with you? Brisingr and Hjarta were still locked within the hidden vault of the tree house.

No, I will not. I'm not going to be starting any wars on this trip. I refuse to take it. I refuse to let any blood be spilt on this trip.

And if you die? Arya still asked fearfully.

I will not die Arya. I think you and Jadeir have been over this.
Eragon answered firmly.

We have.

I will be fine Arya. Promise me you will be ok.

The two of them were landing near Tialdari Hall. As Arya and Eragon dismounted their dragons Eragon rushed to Arya's side to get the answer. She realized that tears were in her eyes and she was in Eragon's arms, his firm hands wiping them away. She looked up and noticed there were tears in his eyes as well. She then whispered into his ear in the ancient language, "I promise."

Eragon kissed her upon her despaired lips. He then said to her in the same quiet tone, "Eka elrun ono."

She clasped his left hand firmly with her right hand as they began to return to Tialdari Hall. When they started to enter the private area, they heard a woman moan in pleasure. Their ears turned red. Arya thought he heard Eragon curse under his breath.

"I'm not sleeping here Arya. I told them to keep it down." Eragon said, almost in disgust. Arya smiled for a moment and chuckled and forgot her worries.

"Then let us sleep in the trees as we did when the war was upon us." She replied. He grinned for a moment. She suddenly felt her legs leave the ground as Eragon picked her up. She smiled for a moment. Before she would have frowned at Eragon treating her like a human woman but she understood that it was in an act of kindness. He carried her over to the child of the Menoa Tree. She then heard him mutter, "Risa," and the two of them rose higher and higher into the tree. When he was at the branch he wanted, he then said, "Fram," when he had moved forward far enough he cut off the spell and the two of them were upon the tree. He then lay down on the tree, with Arya still in his arms. A cool breeze blew through and Arya shivered. Eragon just held on to Arya closer. Feeling his warmth radiate onto her. She smiled for a moment as she started to drift into her waking dreams.